Festive Franks Recipes

PARTY FRANKS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Stir in the next 11 ingredients. Add lemon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard lemon slices. Place hot dogs in a 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until heated through, 18-20 minutes. Keep warm; serve with toothpicks.

FESTIVE FRANKS

Steps:

• 1. In heavy skillet, brown onion, celery and garlic in shortening or oil.
• 2. Stir in rest of ingredients, except hot dogs. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes.
• 3. Add hot dogs. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

FRENCH FRY FRANKS

Steps:

• Make the franks: Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar and paprika in a large bowl. Add the egg and milk and whisk to make a thick batter, adding more milk if the mixture is too dry. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Heat about 2 inches vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Dip the franks in the batter, then carefully wrap a long curly fry around each. (If desired, thread the franks on wooden skewers before wrapping with fries.)
• Working in batches, fry the franks in the hot oil, turning, until golden on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt.
• Meanwhile, make the dip: Whisk the Sriracha, lime juice and mayonnaise in a bowl. Serve with the franks.

BEEF COCKTAIL FRANKS ENROBED IN MASA HARINA

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the masa harina and salt slowly adding the water until the dough can be rolled into a ball. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes or until smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour.
• Separate the dough into 24 equal pieces rolling them into little balls. Using a rolling pin roll out the dough so that it is about 1/2-inch thick. Place a cocktail frank on the edge of the dough and roll up tucking the ends underneath the frank. Repeat the process until you've used up all of the dough and franks.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place franks on a sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve with a side of spicy mustard.
• Cook's note: Masa harina is found in the Latin food section of your grocery store. The cocktail franks can be frozen for up to 3 months.

PARTY FRANKS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix the grape jelly and mustard. When the mixture begins to bubble, stir in the cocktail wieners. Reduce heat and simmer until serving.

GROWN UP "FRANKS AND BEANS"

Steps:

• Heat a 10-inch straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and continue to heat. Pierce each sausage link twice with the tip of a pairing knife. Add the sausages to the hot pan and brown evenly on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the sausages to a plate to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, slice each link on the bias into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium. To the hot skillet, add the bacon. Cook until it is brown and crisp. Add the garlic and onions and cook, stirring regularly, until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to blister and break down, about 10 minutes. Add the paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, drained beans, thyme and rosemary and allow the mixture to return to a simmer. Nestle the sausages back in and add any juice that may have collected on the plate. Allow the mixture to cook until the sausages are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a pot of rapidly boiling salted water, cook the pasta for 8 minutes. Drain and immediately pour the cooked pasta into the bean mixture to finish cooking, about another 3 minutes.